| abstract |
A compound permitting the economic production of packaging containers, which when activated produces concentrated amounts of CO2 gas for extended periods for preservation of perishable products therein, comprises a mixture including a CO2 generating portion incorporated within a polymer matrix. Preferably, the mixture includes citric acid; calcium carbonate, and polyethylene resin. More preferably, the mixture includes a mixture of a carboxylic acid (0.1-40%); a hydrogen carbonate (0.1-40%) and any polyolefin resin. Even more preferably, the mixture includes a mixture including (0.01-40%) Citric Acid; (0.01-40%); and 30-75% polyethylene resin. Most preferably, the mixture includes by weight 12% citric acid; 38% calcium carbonate; and 50% low density polyethylene resin with a melt index of 20 and a density of 0.924 g/cc. Alternatively, the carboxylic acid and hydrogen carbonate components are compounded into separate polymer matrixes, and later combined. The compound may be packaged in containers that are formed of flexible or rigid material. |